#cry freedom

In September 2022 Mahsa Amini, a young woman from Iran’s oppressed Kurdish minority, visited Tehran with her brother. She was stopped and arrested by Iran’s “morality” police (gasht-e ershad), who routinely arbitrarily detain women who do not comply with the country’s abusive and discriminatory compulsory veiling laws.

Eyewitnesses said that police pushed her into a van and beat her, taking her to Vozara detention centre in Tehran. Mahsa/Zhina Amini and her brother were told that she was being transferred to Vozara for an “educational” class aimed at “reforming” the behaviour of women and girls who violate the country’s rigid Islamic dress code. Her brother was also beaten when he protested.

Hours after her arrest, credible reports arose that the “morality” police had subjected her to torture and other ill-treatment inside the police van, including through beatings to her head. She fell into a coma, and was transferred in an ambulance to Kasra hospital in Tehran.

She died in custody three days later in hospital, on 16 September 2022.

RIP Timothy West (20.10.1934 - 12.11.2024)

"We met when we were cast with small parts in that really boring play, so had both brought the crossword to stop us going mad. We saw each other across the rehearsal room doing it, so decided to sit together. Then we couldn’t record because of the strike one day so we went to the cinema, Pru and I, to see The Grass is Greener with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr. The show was cancelled, but a bit later Pru sent me a card saying ‘they’re reviving that terrible play, are you in it?’ I wasn’t but we started writing to each other then."

{IMPORTANT POST} -My Story-

Tw- slight cursing, emotional abuse, stress

(am i suffering from emotional abuse in real time?) 

March 2025, i had my first in person interview after applying to many jobs, i couldnt get there by bus cus it took too long so had to go with uber (this was my first time doing that) it was 100% my moms idea and she offered to pay for my rides.

Fast forward i had to go to a doctors appointment in May due to menstruation issues (it was necessary) again, mom is still helping me with my ride payment cus im not in a good financial position to do that..she was irritated by this and started complaining/guilt tripping me so i was like “ok bet” i wont go to you for help no more. This only made me more stressed out cus at the time i had nothing and my mom was refusing to lend her hand out so i went to my grandma and shes been helping me since, im so grateful i have her in my life <3 

Unfortunately, this only caused more problems; my mom started accusing me of being enabled by my grandmother.  which was and still is NOT the case at all! If i was being enabled like she truly thinks..i would be sitting on my ass not doing shit- i cant rely just off my grandmas money, yes it helps me get necessary essentials and treats but not enough to solely live off of??? Again, projecting her issues onto me. Youre mother is not the enemy. 

I have showed my independence time and time again but it isnt enough for them or matches their standards...i suffer from an anxiety disorder  (im being medicated for) the fact im even going out in public by myself at all is a fucking miracle. But still i hear im not doing enough, im behind, I'll be turning 21 soon and still no job- way to kick me down while im already struggling and trying my best. 

Im tired of talking about this, im tired of them talking to me about it, i cant even cry about this no more because now all i ask is “why”? Why did i have to have parents like this? Of course youre always gonna have those good times but that will never take away from the shit theyve done to you.. 

Thanks for making the first 2 years of my adult life a living hell to the point where i couldnt even enjoy getting accepted into college, i cant tell them anything (not like they’ll listen anyway) imagine having a parent who constantly complains about being a parent/responsibility and is begging her kids to take the weight off even tho theyre unable to??? Why be a mom at all? (i ask) i understand its hard, but ive helped raise your sons enough..what else can i do? I dont mind paying for my phone bill but not for everything else cus i just want to save and get the hell out of here and never look back. 

Maybe i should be honest about my situation to my dvr assistant? I dont want people to worry about me but i was honest with my doctor the last time and thats how i got the social worker in the first place and the help i needed so if i just open my mouth more then maybe i can get somewhere quicker? Idk- 

Thanks for reading through all this tho~ i appreciate it..ily <33 

You can blow out a candle

But you can't blow out a fire

Once the flames begin to catch

The wind will blow it higher

Comment: Steve Biko (born on 18th December 1946 - died on 12th September 1977) was a South African anti‑apartheid activist who died in prison as a result of torture. His philosophy of Black Consciousness emphasized nonviolent protest, communal participation and psychological liberation („Black is Beautiful“) as the foundation of struggle against apartheid.

“It is better to die for an idea that will live, than to live for an idea that will die.”

-Steve Biko

Peter Gabriel’s song “Biko“ is not the only tribute to this remarkable man. Richard Attenborough’s 1987 film “Cry Freedom” also tells his story - how Biko and Donald Woods, a white newspaper editor, came to respect one another. After a secret meeting, Biko was arrested and later died in custody. Woods himself faced harsh reprisals from the apartheid regime: as Biko he was also “banned”, forbidden to write or move freely. Yet he still managed to smuggle his biography of Biko out of South Africa, a decision that forced him and his family into exile. Someone needs to tell these stories so that they are not forgotten.

Since 2007 I’ve worked for a South African IT company, later acquired by a Japanese telecom firm. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion were always a lived philosophy there, shaping both my professional and personal life in ways I deeply value. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Solely because of this connection and out of deep respect and admiration for Nelson Mandela, who did not seek revenge but wanted to unite the nation after the end of the apartheid regime in South Africa, I always knew that one day I would visit this country. Next year, that dream finally comes true.

As an atheist, this is my message for Christmas: There are people whose nature, through their thoughts and actions, sometimes shines brighter than that of many others.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Cry Freedom (1987). South African journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend, the Black anti-Apartheid activist Steve Biko.

Cry Freedom (1987)

Director - Richard Attenborough, Cinematography - Ronnie Taylor